Judge Orders Feds to Disclose Identities of Ghislaine Maxwell’s “Unnamed Co-Conspirators”
A judge just ordered federal prosecutors to disclose the “identities of any unnamed co-conspirators” of Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was a longtime friend of Bill Clinton and is currently in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
In a three-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan said: “The government argues that there is no risk of surprise because ‘it currently intends’ to introduce the alleged co-conspirator statements of only two individuals.
“At the same time, however, the Government proffers that it ‘may change its view as it prepares for trial.’ The Court thus finds the Government’s reassurance hollow and insufficient to ensure that the Defendant may adequately prepare her defenses.
“Moreover, the Government has not alleged that disclosure here would create ‘potential danger to co-conspirators’ or risk ‘compromising continuing investigations.
“It merely argues that disclosing the identities risks ‘harm to the Government from restricting its proof at trial.
“The Government provides no explanation for this purported harm and none is apparent to the Court.
“Thus, the Court finds that this concern alone does not outweigh the risk of surprise to the Defendant in this case or the need for the parties to litigate co-conspirator issues in advance of trial to ensure the absence of delay.”
From Law and Crime:
Charged with sex trafficking and other offenses, Maxwell faces a superseding indictment with alleged conspiracies that date back decades. The scheme charged in one of the counts spans between 1994 to 2004, and the other runs between 2001 and 2004.
As a result of a prior ruling, Maxwell’s trial has been split in two, with the first trial in November. Prosecutors have characterized her case as the “prequel” to the Jeffrey Epstein saga.
After that trial’s conclusion, Maxwell will face another accusing her of lying in a deposition in a civil case filed by her alleged victim Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein survivor.
In early August, Giuffre sued Prince Andrew in a lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing her when she was 17 years old in three locations:
Epstein’s New York mansion, Maxwell’s London home, and Epstein’s so-called “Pedophile Island” in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bill Clinton spotted in Hamptons boarding yacht with Epstein-connected billionaire sugar baron brothers https://t.co/Q6Jxv82eSV
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